Chernobyl disaster

High school (ages 12+)
Environment & Earth

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/chernobyl-disaster

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. How long is Chernobyl disaster?Increased incidence of thyroid cancer
2. What is the reactor type involved?RBMK-1000
3. What is the primary causes?Design flaws and operator errors during a safety test
4. What happened at the Chernobyl power plant in 1986?On April 26, 1986, a reactor at the V.I. Lenin Nuclear Power Plant exploded, releasing dangerous radiation into the air.
5. Why did the reactor explode?The reactor had design problems that made it unstable at low power, and operators turned off safety systems during a test, causing a sudden power surge.

RBMK Reactor: A Soviet-designed graphite-moderated nuclear reactor with inherent safety concerns.
Acute Radiation Syndrome: A severe illness caused by exposure to a high dose of ionizing radiation.
Exclusion Zone: A designated area around the Chernobyl plant with restricted human access due to radiation.
Positive Void Coefficient: A reactor characteristic where steam formation increases reactivity, leading to instability.